Pummelo tree named ‘5-1-99-5’

ABSTRACT

A new red pummelo tree particularly distinguished by producing delicious and juicy red-fleshed fruit in central Florida, is disclosed.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Citrus grandis(L.) Osbeck.

Variety denomination: ‘5-1-99-5’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of pummelotree, botanically known as Citrus grandis, and hereinafter referred toby the name ‘5-1-99-5’. Cultivar ‘5-1-99-5’ is a red pummelo selectedfrom a group of open-pollinated seedlings obtained from the ‘HiradoBuntan Pink’ pummelo (female parent), currently the most popular varietyand the only commercially significant pummelo in Florida. Fruit of‘5-1-99-5’ is quite different from that of ‘Hirado Buntan’. The fruitflesh is light pink for ‘Hirado Buntan’, and an attractive dark red for‘5-1-99-5’. Fruit rind of relatively thin for both of these pummelos ascompared to pummelos in general, but ‘5-1-99-5’ generally has a thinnerrind than ‘Hirado Buntan’. Fruit shape is also different, as ‘HiradoBuntan’ generally has a flatter fruit than ‘5-1-99-5’, which is a bitmore oblong. Fruit size is quite uniform for ‘5-1-99-5’ and quitevariable for ‘Hirado Buntan’. Average fruit size is larger for‘5-1-99-5’. Flavor also differs, with ‘5-1-99-5’ having more of a hintof ‘grapefruit’ flavor. ‘5-1-99-5’ was asexually propagated by standardinverted-T grafting to sour orange+Carrizo somatic hybrid rootstock andplanted in Lake Alfred, Fla., where trees demonstrated all thecharacteristics of the original plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Florida. ‘5-1-99-5’ is a medium-large sizedpummelo with thinner rind than most favored pummelo selections known tothe Inventor. ‘5-1-99-5’ features attractive dark red-fleshed segmentsthat are more uniform in size and shape than other pummelos known to theInventor. ‘5-1-99-5’ has a delicious flavor with just a hint ofgrapefruit bitterness. ‘5-1-99-5’ fruit is quite juicy and fruit size isvery uniform. Fruit on the tree sometimes exist in clusters, and therind can exhibit pink blushes where fruit are touching.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new red pummelo plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the plant's form, foliage, and fruit. The colorsshown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventionalphotographic procedures. All photographs were taken in November of 2010.

FIG. 1. Shows whole and cut fruit of ‘5-1-99-5’.

FIG. 2. Shows a tree showing overall plant habit, including foliage andfruit.

FIG. 3. Shows a cluster of fruit on a ‘5-1-99-5’ tree.

FIG. 4. Shows mature leaves and immature fruit.

FIG. 5. Shows a fruit of ‘5-1-99-5’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘5-1-99-5’. The present botanical description is thatof the variety grown on an 8-year-old tree on ‘Swingle’ citrumelorootstock (C. paradisi×Poncirus trifoliata) in Lake Alfred, Fla. Thecolors (except those in common terms) are described from R.H.S. ColourChart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (secondedition), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

Phenotypic Description of Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck (‘5-1-99-5’).

-   Classification:    -   -   Botanical.—Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck.        -   Common name.—Pummelo.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—‘Hirado Buntan Pink’ pummelo.        -   Male parent.—Unknown.-   Tree:    -   -   Ploidy.—Diploid.        -   Size.—Large, with heights of 3.35 meters currently            un-pruned.        -   Tree spread.—Tree spread reaches 3.4 meters.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growing shoots of 0.6 meters or more in            typical new leaf flush from the current tree.        -   Density.—Canopies are quite dense with open canopy.        -   Form.—The shape of the tree is obloid with upright branches            grown, branch growth toward medium angles. Branches exhibit            drooping after fruit has commenced.        -   Growth habit (current season).—Branches grow laterally, and            more branches droop as fruits grow bigger.-   Trunk and branches:    -   -   Trunk diameter.—Trunk diameter reaches 13 cm at 30 cm above            the ground.        -   Trunk texture.—Smooth.        -   Trunk bark color.—RHS 197A (greyed-green); irregularly            striated with N189A (greyed-green) and RHS N189C            (greyed-green).        -   Branch length.—Branch length reach 3.5 meters from the first            crotch point to the tip of the branch.        -   Branch texture.—Relatively smooth with small thorns or            spines at each leaf knot.        -   Branch color (shoots from previous flush, hardened and 4 mm            to 5 mm in Diameter).—RHS 138S (green).        -   Crotch angle.—Tree crotch forms 30 degree angle from the            main trunk.        -   Branch diameter.—5.8 mm to 6.6 mm.        -   Internode length.—25 mm to 36 mm.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size (lamina average).—Length: 120 mm. Width: 76 mm. L/W            ratio: 1.5 to 1.6.        -   Thickness.—Regular and average for commercial pummelo.        -   Type.—Simple.        -   Shape.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Retuse.        -   Base.—Acute to sub-obtuse.        -   Margin.—Entire, smooth and very slightly undulated.        -   Surface.—Upper surface: Glabrous. Lower surface: Large veins            that are pinnately netted.        -   Color.—Upper surface (adaxial): RHS 138A (green). Lower            surface (abaxial): RHS 144b (yellow-green).        -   Petiole.—Shape: Brevipetiolate (shorter than leaf lamina);            junction between petiole and lamina is articulate. Width            (petiole wing): Wide, compared to sweet oranges and            mandarins. Shape (petiole wing): Obovate. Length: 40 mm to            45 mm. Width: 20 mm to 28 mm. Color: RHS 138A (green).-   Flowers:    -   -   Type.—Hermaphrodite.        -   Bearing.—Flower clusters grow from leaf axillaries and            branch terminals, each flower branch consisting of 2-5            flower clusters, one cluster normally consisting of 7-10            flowers.        -   Flower born.—Flower branch derived from the stems of flush            of previous year.        -   Diameter.—Fully opened flowers average 43 mm to 52 mm.        -   Depth.—Typical flower depth averages between 22 mm to 26 mm.        -   Flower bud.—Initial visible flower bud shape: Round dome            shaped. Initial visible flower bud length: 3-4 mm. Initial            visible flower bud diameter: 3 mm. Mature flower bud shape            (before opening): enlongated olive shape. Mature flower bud            length (before opening): 18 mm to 19 mm. Mature flower bud            diameter (before opening): 12.5 mm-13 mm.        -   Color.—RHSNN145A (yellow-green) for initial visible flower            bud.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Shape: Flat spatula shaped. Apex shape:            Smooth acute shaped. Base shape: Even Obtuse. Color: Upper            surface: RHS 155B (white). Lower surface: RHSNN155C (white)            with yellow-green (RHS 150A) spots distributed in the middle            section of the petal toward to the petal apex. Margin:            Smooth. Length: 22 mm. Width: 8 mm.        -   Calyx.—Size: Large. Length: 13.6 mm. Diameter: 7.8 mm to 8.2            mm.        -   Sepal.—Number: 4 per flower. Shape: Short flat delta shaped            with short acute angle at the apex. Length: 4.9 mm. Width:            7.6 mm. Apex shape: Acute triangle shape. Margin: Smooth.            Color: RHS 145C (yellow-green). Upper surface (portion near            the tip of the flower sepal): RHS 149C (yellow-green). Lower            surface (portion near to the bottom of the flower sepal):            RHS 145D (yellow-green).        -   Pedicel.—Length: 13.7 mm to 15.4 mm. Diameter: 1.9 mm to            2.5 mm. Color: RHS 142C (green).        -   Flower blooming period.—First bloom: around late March to            early April in central Florida. Full bloom: In 2010,            observed full bloom in mid-April.        -   Fragrance.—Very fragrant compared to other citrus blossoms.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Stamen.—Number: 25-27. Length: 12.8 mm to 14.2 mm.        -   Pistil.—Number: 1. Color: RHS 142D (green). Length: 12 mm.            Diameter: 2.0 mm to 2.7 mm.        -   Stigma color.—RHS 154C (yellow-green).        -   Style.—Length: 8.5 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm to 2.4 mm. Color:            RHS 142D (green).        -   Ovary.—Shape: Oval shaped. Diameter: 3.8 mm to 5 mm. Color:            RHS 144D (yellow-green).        -   Anther.—Length: 1.6 mm. Width: 0.65 mm. Color: RHS 13C            (yellow).        -   Anther filament length.—8.3 mm to 10.3 mm.        -   Pollen amount.—Abundant.        -   Pollen color (general).—RHS 12A (bright-yellow).-   Fruit:    -   -   Size.—Uniform (more so than most other pummelo cultivars),            160 mm to 180 mm in diameter, 140 mm to 160 mm in tall.        -   Fruit weight.—Averages 1,700 grams.        -   Shape.—Round and slightly bell shaped.        -   Shape (cross-section).—Nearly round.        -   Apex.—Truncated with shallow dent mark.        -   Apex cavity diameter.—None.        -   Base.—No neck, with slightly rough peel surface.        -   Base cavity diameter.—9.7 mm.-   Harvest: Mid-October through January (affected by rootstock).-   Fruit stem (short stem connecting fruit to the branch):    -   -   Length.—24 mm.        -   Diameter.—7.5 mm.        -   Color.—RHS 188A (grey-green) with RHS 199D (grey-brown)            strip.-   Rind:    -   -   Adherence.—Albedo (mesocarp) to fresh (endocarp) is strong            compared to mandarins, but similar to grapefruit.        -   Thickness.—8 mm to 10 mm, thinner than most other common            pummelo varieties known to the Inventor.        -   Texture.—Medium firm, softer when fully ripe.        -   Color.—Flavedo (epicarp): Range from between RHS 1C            (green-yellow) to RHS 2B (yellow). Albedo (mesocarp): RHS            36D (red) to RHS 36A (red). Stylar end: Closed.-   Rind oil cell density: 70 to 84 oil cells per square centimeter.-   Flesh:    -   -   Number of segments.—Average between 12 and 13 segments per            fruit.        -   Typical shape of flesh segments.—Wedge-shaped.        -   Segment length.—120 mm to 150 mm.        -   Segment width.—35 mm to 60 mm on average.        -   Segment walls.—Strong compare to grapefruit varieties with            sufficient strength to maintain integrity as separated.        -   Juice.—Abundant.        -   Color.—Uniformly RHS 39A (red).        -   Texture.—Medium-soft and able to maintain flesh integrity as            separated from segment wall.        -   Vesicles.—Medium-thick. Length: averages 18 mm to 26 mm.            Diameter: averages 3.8 mm to 7 mm.-   Flavor and quality: Excellent flavor from mid-October through    January (data from Jan. 4, 2010).    -   -   Brix/acid ratio.—10.        -   Acidity (average).—1.1. The citric acid content of a juice            sample can be determined through a titration of the juice,            which involves a certain volume of juice having a base of a            known concentration added to it until such point is reached            in which all of the acid in the juice is neutralized, known            as the endpoint corresponding to the range of            phenolphthalein indicator.        -   Sucrose content.—11.0. Refers to a measurement of sucrose            content. The pure sucrose or soluble solids value of a juice            or citrus product can be determined using a refractometer            along with the International Scale of Refractive Indices of            Sucrose Solutions, and to which the applicable correction            for acidity is added. The Brix value is determined in            accordance with the refractometer method outlined in the            Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Volumes            I & II.        -   Color score.—43.2-45.0 (slightly variable per fruit). Refers            to a measurement of color for citrus juices, which was            obtained using a HunterLab Model D45 Citrus Colorimeter to            determine the color score of juice of ‘5-1-99-5’,            standardized using Citrus Red (CR) and Citrus Yellow (CY)            with an OJ4 color tube indexed for the instrument. For the            HunterLab Model D45 Citrus Colorimeter, the color number is            equal to 22.510 plus 0.165CR plus 0.111CY.-   Seeds:    -   -   Type.—Monoembryonic.        -   Number.—Ranges from 120 to 130.        -   Shape.—Various in Clavate/club shaped to deltoid-shaped.        -   Size.—Length: 15 mm to 18 mm. Width: 7 mm to 9 mm.        -   Seed coat color.—Outer Surface: RHS 158A (yellow-white) and            slightly wrinkled. Inner surface: RHS 164B (greyed-orange).        -   Cotyledon color.—RHS NN155A (white).-   Disease/pest resistance: ‘5-1-99-5’ has shown good canker tolerance,    much better than that of grapefruit. The female parent of    ‘5-1-99-5’, ‘Hirado Buntan’, is quite susceptible to Huanglongbing    (HLB) or citrus greening disease. Red pummelo ‘5-1-99-5’ appears to    be slightly more tolerant of HLB, although not as tolerant as other    red pummelos.-   Hardiness zone: Trees of ‘5-1-99-5’ have shown no signs of    cold-susceptibility in the Lake Alfred area of central Florida. The    hardiness zone should include all of south and central Florida.    ‘5-1-99-5’ has not been tested in north Florida.-   Fruit keeping quality: Fruit of ‘5-1-99-5’ retain good quality    hanging on the tree for several months after reaching maturity, and    also perform very well in cold storage under routinely used storage    procedures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct red pummelo tree as shown anddescribed herein.